A post-graduate course in Aviation, MTech (Aviation) is going to be launched at University of Pune (UoP) from September this year. The 2-year course will be conducted partly on-site at a German based institute FFL for 3 semesters and one semester following it will be conducted at Department of Technology at UoP.

UoP has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with FFL under which the students passing out of this course will be entitled for a European flying licence on approval from the German aviation regulator. Similarly the students will be asked to undergo tests by director general of civil aviation (DGCA) to secure an Indian flying licence. Talks with DGCA on the proposal were in progress, informed vice-chancellor of UoP.

Representatives of FFL including its chief executive officer Ulrich Langenecker were present on the occasion of signing of the MoU at UOP, who noted that the demand for trained pilots would increase considerably in view of the growing aviation industry, adding that the onsite training of UoP students in Germany will also involve soft skills, ground studies and team building activities.

The new MTech course, open for eligible BE/BTech degree holders from recognised engineering colleges in India, will not only involve pilot training but also the engineering aspects to facilitate job opportunities in flying as well as ground engineering and allied services. The course will have an estimated fees amounting to 70,000 euro for 2 years — approximately Rs 55 lakh — in addition to the expenses on account of stay in Germany.